The last has not been heard about the just concluded Ondo State governorship election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Agboola Ajayi, on Monday rejected the result of the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with a pledge to seek justice at the election tribunal.

The PDP candidate lost the election to Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after polling 117,845 votes, while the latter secured 366,781 votes to emerge as the winner, holding sway in all the 18 local councils of the state.

Breaking his forty-eight hours of silence since the election on Saturday, November 16, 2024, Mr. Ajayi in a statement by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, said that he kept silent to enable him to investigate “contents of criminality perpetrated by both the victorious All Progressives Congress, APC, and the INEC”

He said: “We have uncovered lots of actions undertaken to compromise the electoral desires of the people and sadly conclude that democracy cannot thrive in an environment where unabated criminality is perpetually perpetrated in the prosecution of an election by the agency(INEC) saddled with the onerous and sacred responsibility to protect our franchise and deliver its mandate at the end of every election.

“November 16th election, like every other election conducted by INEC since APC assumed power in 2015 continues in the tradition of hijacking the process and delivering results that are diametrically in contrast with expressed electoral desires, thus resulting in promoting voters’ apathy and total disenchantment with the electoral process.

“While not divulging the nature and extent of the results of our investigations for now, our only prayer is that those who possess the privileges to determine the fate of people and nation should begin to live up to expectations and fear God in the interest of our nation, its wellness, peace, and tranquility, else they are reduced to the same level of criminals and bandits, who continuously lay landmines that undermine the progress of our nation.

“We particularly call on the Judiciary to brace up and perform the sacred and onerous responsibilities to guarantee the portability of justice to people and institutions that seek it, the nation and people will appreciate that.

“Nigeria is currently described as a failed state, it is our prayers that it is revived, re-birthed, and resounding again as a nation that will not only hold promises of a better day for its people but actually deliver on the same.

“Thus honesty must propel institutions and government, else revolt will one day dictate unwholesome developments that will portent dire consequences.

“In summary, we reject the results of the November 16 election and will take legal actions to reverse the debauchery. That is the option available to us and we are hopeful that man and God who is the ultimate will give us justice. It is time we begin to eschew criminality from our electoral process.” he said.

Congratulatory Messages for Governor Ayedatiwa
Meanwhile, the winner of the election, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa continues to receive congratulatory messages from different groups and individuals. A socio-cultural group, the Idanre Development Assembly has congratulated the Governor.

In a letter addressed to the governor by its President-General, Dr Anthony Omolola, the group described Aiyedatiwa’s victory as a clear demonstration of the fact that the people of Ondo State are solidly behind him.

“You have made history in Ondo State by winning the 18 local government areas in the governorship election, hence the task before you is enormous but I believe with God and the support of the good people of Ondo State, you will succeed.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend and thank you for your promise to dualise Akure-Idanre Road, which will boost the huge untapped tourism potentials in Idanre with positive consequences on the community and the state in general.” the letter read in part.

Former Defence Minister, Tokunbo Kayode, SAN, has described the victory of the governor-elect as a good omen for the people of the state. His words:” This is a good omen for the people of Ondo State as there would be tremendous development in all sectors in the state. Our people expect this.

“I also want to commend INEC as well as the security agencies for efficient implementation of the constitutional guidelines in the conduct of the election.”

Also, the initiator of the Abdul Adetunji Foundation, Abdul Adetunji Mohammed, congratulated the re-elected Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Mohammed said that his mobilisation efforts at delivering Akoko North East yielded positive results with the overwhelming victory of Aiyedatiwa in the area.